Sewage ejector



F. J. KOCH SEWAGE EJEGTOR Feb. 2, 1932.

Filed Feb. 26, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet l I BY 2 ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1932. F. J. KOCH 1,843,686

SEWAGE ELJECTOR Filed Feb. 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 V MW a I ATTORNEY Feb; 2, 1932. F. 'J[ KOCH 1,343,686

' SEWAGE EJECTOR Filed Feb. 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1932. F. J. KOCH 1,843,686

SEWAGE EJEcTbR Filed Febf 26; 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNV TOR Feb. 2, 1932. 'F. .1. KOCH 1,843,686

SEWAGE EJECTOR Filed Feb. 26, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m g 0 0 \S n k [l &

Q Q Q r 7 j mv QR QATI'ORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1932 SA Fii FRANK F. KQGH, 0E NEWARK, NEW JERSEY snwaen macros Application filed February 26, 1936. Serial No. 431,582.

The present invention relates to a novel apparatus for disposing ofsewage and more particularly to means for pneumatically ejecting sewage from a container and forcing it-into a discharge pipe.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention, the

same being realized and attained by means tion;

Fig. 2 is a detail elevation, partly in section, of a contact device employed in connection with the present invention, and forming a part thereof;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a further modification of the invention and Figs. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views showing a modification of the invention in which the mechanism is adapted for automatic operation. I

The present invention has for its object the provision of an apparatus for pneumatically ejecting sewage from a container into which it has been fed, and provides means for readily handling large quantities of sewage in an efficient and sanitary manner. According to certain features of the invention, there are provided means for completely automatically controlling the operation of the mechanism thereby avoiding the necessity of continuous attention to the mechanism on the part of the operator.

Other features of the invention will be initially pointed out in connection with the following detailed descriptions of the present preferred embodiment of the invention, and it will be understood that-the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are both exemplar and explanatory, but not restrictive of t e invention.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a relative- 1y simple embodiment of the present invenv tion wherein there .is provided a container 10 adapted to receive the sewage after it has been screened, and this container preferably comprises a generally frustro-conical tank havin a reduced cylindrical upper portion 11 with a gate 13 pivoted at one side of the mouth a flared mouth 12 and provided with and adapted to be swung upwardly to seal the opening at the top of the container. For. operating the gate 13 there is provided a lever 14, attached to the gate and pivotally connected with the piston 15 of the pneumatic cylinder 16 for the gate, so that the gate 13 is closed and opened as air is admitted to or released from the cylinder 16.

At the bottom of the container is a sliding gate 1'? adapted to open the passage from the container to the discharge pipe 18, and this gate is actuated by means of lever 19 pivoted on the side of the container and connected with the pneumatic actuating piston 20.

For indicating to the operator the level of the sewage in the container and enabling the operator to determine when the gate should be closed for the discharge of the sewage. from the container, there is provided a contact device in circuit with signalling means, the contact device being closed when the sewage reaches a predetermined level in the container. As embodied, the signal tric bell22, which are energized by current supplied from a source of power 23, the supply of current to the bell and lamp being controlled by relay 24:, the movable contact 25 otwhich is moved to circuit closing position by closing of the circuit through contact device.

As embodied, the contact device (Fig. 2) preferably comprises a metallic conductin member 26 pivotally supported by a rod 2 projectin into the container 10 and conducting mem er 26 hangs downwardly with the casing, and it and rod 27 are insulated from the casing by'means of insulation 28. lnsulation 28 is preferably surrounded by a pipe 29 which can be threadedly secured within an aperture in the upper portion 11 of the contamer. The connections for said contact device are made as tollows:0ne side of the line is attached to the rodj27 by means of dill nut 30 while the other side is grounded or otherwise connected with the metallic container, and the circuit is closed by contact of. the liquid sewage with the lower depending end of conducting member 26, so that the current passes from the container 10 to the conducting member 26 through the "liquid sewage. I

It is generall desirable to employ two containers, disc arging into a single discharge pipe, so that one of the containers may be filled while the other is being discharged. As shown in Figure 3 of the drawings there are provided two containers 10, so. stantiall similar to that already described, an having their discharge outlets 18 connected to a single discharge pi e 32. Each container is provided with a disc arge gate 17 and a pneumaticicylinder 34: for openmg and closing the ate and is also provided with a gate 35 for t e upper opening'of the container, together with pneumatic cylinders 16 for opening andclosing these gates.

As embodied, the cylinders and gates 34, 17

and 16, 35 are adapted to be simultaneously and oppositely operated, and each cylinder 34: and 35 is connected'with an air pipe at each of its ends. For actuating these gates, there is preferably provided a source of compressed air 37,- and to allow the pistons to be reversely moved, there is provideda relief pipe 38 through which the air is released rom the cylinders. As embodied, the flow of air to and from each cylinder is preferably controlled by a single tour way valve 39 through which compresed air may be supplied to the cylinders to open discharge gate 17 and close gate 35, after which the pressure within the container may be increased forcing the sewage out of the container and into the discharge pipe 32, as shown in l igure 3. On turning valve 39, 90, after the eadset sewage is completely, discharged, gate 35 returns to its position to close the discharge 0 enin of the container while the air from t e cylinders 16 and 3a is released through pipe 40, the gates being opened by its own weight as the pressure is reduced. The apparatus is then ready to be again filled with sewage.

According to a modified embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figure 4 of the present drawings, means are provided for electrically controlling the operation of the sewage ejecting mechanism, and for preventing the discharge from one of the containers until another has completed the discharging operation, thereby preventing the sewage from being blown from one 0? the containers into the other. Also, means are preferably provided for indicating to the operator the upper and lower levels of the sewage in the container thereby enabling the operator to supply compressed air to the container exactly in accordance with the needs of the apparatus.

Q As embodied, the container 10 is substantially identical with the containers described in connection with the previously described modifications of the invention, and need not be described in detail. The container is provided with a contact device 50, similar to the one already described for indicating the upper level of the sewage in the container 10, and this contact device is in circuit with signalling means, such as ball 51 and lamp 52, to inform the o erator when the container has been filled an warn him to stop the flow of sewage to the container. Another contact device 53 is provided for automatically interrupting the flow of compressed air to the interior of the container when the sewage in the container has been forced out of the container below a predetermined lower operated switchb? through relay 58. For

preventing opening of the valve when the sewage is at too low a level in the container 10, the circuit for the electromagnetic valve 54, preferably includes the contact device 53 for the lower level of sewage'in series with the electromagnet 56 so' that relay 58 can be closed to energize the ma net only when sewage is closing the circuit etween the sides of the container 10 and the contact member 53.

Means are also provided for preventing the discharge of sewage from one of the containers while another a is being discharged, and for this purpose, the circuit for the electromagnetic valve of each container includes lishing an electric circuit which may be traced as follows From main 102- through an electro-magnetically operated tumbler switch 126 to rod 53, container 10, and back to cam operated switch 122 and through this switch to main 101. The current flowing in this circuit en-' open contact 130 of switch 126 to camoperated switch 111, from thence through cam operated switches 114, 115, 117 and 119, energizing the solenoid 131 of electrically actuated switch 108, thereby closing the motor circuit and starting the motor 105. As cam motor 105 rotates switch 111 is closed energizing the magnet of relay 139, and also clos-- mg cam operated switch 112 and opening cam operated switch 113. On further rotation of the motor 105 air valve 132 is opened admitting air to the cylinder 16 for closing the gate 35 at the top of the container, at, the same time openin cam operated switch 114, breaking the holdmg-circuit, energizing sole 131, and automatically opening switch The motor 105 now remains at rest until the gate 35 has been raised to its uppermost position fully closing the upper openin of the containerlO and when the gate is f hlly closed the bridge piece 150 bridges contacts 151, closin the shunt circuit around the open contacts 0 cam operated switch 114, thereby again completing the circuit energizing solenoid 131 and again setting the-motor. 105 in rotation, earn 0 erated switches 117 and 119 position during this oper ation.

l '1 he continued rotation of motor 105 opens the cam operat d switch 115 and unless the magnetically ogibrated tumbler switch 127 is closed, the holding circuit is broken stopping the motor. Switch 127 is normally closed and is held in open position during such time as another of the ejectors is operated. -While another ejector operates, switch 127 is held in 0 en position thereby preventing the shunt o? the otherwise open cam operated switch 115 and preventing further rotation of the motor until the other ejector has ceased its operation. Assuming that switch-127 is closed, the'motor continues to rotate closing cam operated switch 116 and opening the air valve 133 to admit air to the air cylinder 20 for the purpose of opening the discharge gate 17.

As air valve 133 is opened, switch 117 is also opened, breaking the circuit through holding solenoid 131 and interrupting ,further rotation of the motor 105 until the discharge gate has been fully opened, thereby the previously established ciraeeaeee across t e contacts of switch 117. As con 1 tacts 160 are bridged the circuit is completed throu h cam switch 119 again energizing solenoif 131, closing the motor switch 108 and starting the motor. Cam operated switch 118 now closes, completing the circuit through the valve 0 crating solenoid 140 and admitting air to t einter1or of the container to eject the contents throu h the open discharge gate 17. A slight furt er rotation of motor 105 opens switch 119breaking the holding circuit and stopping motor 105. v

As pressure is built up within the container 10, the switch arm of regulator switch 138, controlled by the pressure within the container 10, is moved to contact'with contact 140' thereby energizing relay 147 and'shiftmg all of the switches of this relay to their alternate position thereby establishing a circuit from main 102 through relay 147, cam

operated switch 112 and out to 'main 101.

Relay 146 is also energized throwing the switch-arms to their alternate position and establishing a circuit up to switch 113 which is open.

As the pressure within the container drops, when the contents thereof have been completely ejected, the switch arm or regulator 138 is moved to contact 141 thereby completing the circuit from main 101, throwing contact arm, 142, thereby establishing a circuit from main 102 through holding solenoid 131 to. switch 119 through switch 121 through contact arm 142 to switch 120, switch 115, switch 111, tumbler switch 126. and out to main 101, thereby again starting motor 105.

Motor 105 now closes air valve 133 and opens air valve 134 admitting" air to the other side of cylinder 156 to move the discharge gate 17 to closed. position. Switch 120 is closed by motor 105 and switch 121 isopened breaking the holdin circuit and stop ing motor 105 until the dischar e gate 17 is illy closed and contacts 157 are rid ed completing a shunt circuit across switc 121 again starting motor 105. Further rotation of motor 105 now closes the air valve 132 which permits the gate 35 to open, and during this motor 105 is to return all of the cam operated switches to their normal position as shown in the figure of the drawing, and finally cam operated switch 111 is opened stopping the motor 105 until the container 10 is again filled with sewage.

A separate main control panel, shown in Fig. 6, is preferably provided which accommodates the interlocking mechanism for determining the sequence of the operation of the several ejectors and ejector panels, and as shown inthis figure, the power is supplied by a generator 100 which is connected with the mains 101, 102 and 103 leading to each of the individual control panels.

connected with a cam shaft 166 controlling switches 16? and 168, the energy supplied to the motor 165 being controlled by a manually actuated switch 169. As switch 169 is closed switches 16? audit l8. are alternately opened and closed, and a closing of switch 168 permits the continued operation of the left individual control panel, provided the circuit between contactors 170 and 171 is closed by switch 127. The operation of right individual control panel is similarly controlled by switch 167 and contactors 172 and 173 which are connected with a switch similar to switch 127. In this way only one ejector can be operated at any one time and it is impossible for sewage to be blown from one ejector into the other.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanism shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What I claim is 1. A sewage disposal system including in combination a plurality of ejectors, each comprising a container having an inlet and outlet, means for opening-and closing said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said containers to. eject sewage therefrom into a common outlet, interlocking means for preventing simultaneous operation of more than one ejector, and means for preventing air being supplied to the ejectors while the inlet is open or the outlet is closed.

2. A sewage disposal system including in combination a plurality of ejectors, each comprising a container having an inlet and out let, means for opening and closing said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said containers to eject sewage therefrom into a common outlet, interlocking means for preventing simultaneous operation of more than one ejector, means for preventing air being supplied to the ejectors while the inlet is open or the outlet is closed, and means for automatically setting said means in operation by filling the container with sewage.

3. A sewage disposal system including in The main con-' trol panel preferably comprises a motor 165 combination an ejector having an inlet and.

outlet and closure means for said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said ejector, and control means therefor comprising a motor shaft set in operation by filling the ejector with sewage and controlling the operation of the closures and air supply to first close the inlet, open the outlet, supply air to the container and thereafter close the outlet and open the inlet. j

4. A sewage disposal system including in combination an ejector having an inlet and outlet and closure means for said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pres sure to said ejector, and control means therefor preventing the supplying of air until the inlet is fully closed and the outlet is fully opened.

j 5. A sewage disposal system including in combination an ejector having an inlet and outlet and closure means for said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said ejector to force the material within the ejector out through the outlet, and control means therefor including means for opening the inlet and closing the outlet as soon as the I pressure within the e ector decreasesafter ejecting material therefrom.

6. A sewage disposal system including in combination an ejector having an inlet and outlet and closure means for said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said ejector to force the material within the ejector out through the outlet, and

control means therefor including means for. closing the inlet, opening the outlet, turning outlet, means "for supplying air under pressure to said ejector to force the material within the ejector out through the outlet, and control means therefor including pneumatic means for concurrently closing the inlet and opening the outlet on filling the ejector with sewage and for restoring thev parts to their original position as soon as the ejector is emptied.

8. A sewage disposal system including in combination an ejector having an inlet and outlet and closure means for said inlet and outlet, means for supplying air under pressure to said ejector to force the material within the ejector out through the outlet, and control means therefor including means for closing the inlet and opening the outlet on filling the sector with sewage, means for turning on t e air under pressure as soon as the inlet is fully closed and the outlet is fully opened, and means for restoring the parts to their original position, on completion of the lie 7 neenee combination en ejector hnving an inlet and outlet and closure eens for saii inlet nnol outlet, means for sup lyin air under pressure to said ejector to orce t e material with- 5 in the ejector out through the outlet, and control means therefor including means for closing the inlet, means for closing the outlet, means for turning on the air under pressure to eject the sewage, means for closin 13 the outlet, means for opening the inlet, mu

means for preventing operation of the means until the preceding menns has fully accomplished its operation.

In testimony whereof, I have signefl my 15 name to this specification,

ERA J1, KOCH. 

